1970 Bonneville custom

From Guy Bolton of Greasy Kulture magazine. For a long time, Jon Rispante of Nevada wanted to build an all-black hot rod Triumph—‘murdered out’, as the hipsters might say. Here’s the result, a combination of three different Triumphs that Jon had sitting around.

The pre-unit front end and tank came from a “hodge-podge 1960s T100 that I paid $100 for a decade ago,” says Jon. The rear fender and various other bits came off a ‘66 Bonneville. But the main donor is a 1970 Bonneville, a bike that had “been floating around Las Vegas for years… For a short time, it was even owned by my father.”

The Bonnie engine was given a full rebuild, and treated to a TR6 single carb head, Boyer electronic ignition and a MAP Mikuni kit for rideability and reliability. The headlamp is a Model A Ford auxiliary lamp, and the tires are rare NOS Goodyear Super Eagles—19” on the front and 16” rear.

Jon wanted a ‘no frills’ look to this bike, so he gave the engine cases and other shiny parts a low-key, brushed aluminum finish. The paint is by Carlos from Cool Hand Customs—with pinstriping by Chris Clark—and Chris Nichols built the custom leather seat. In the end, Jon achieved his aim: “No chrome, no glitz. Just a clean, all-business, 40s/50s-looking motorcycle.” Love it.

Jon’s bike is featured in the latest issue of Greasy Kulture: order your copy here.